After a period of time at the National Art School Tom realised that he could never teach the way he wanted to so he began to search for a place where he could set up his own Independent School where sculpture would be taught exclusively.  Tom’s own great teacher Datillo Rubbo had had his own independent school.  Tom conceived of the school he was founding in the great tradition of Independent Art Schools created by Julian Ashton and Rubbo; these are an integral part of the history of art in Australia.

One day Rubbo told Tom that his teacher had been taught by the great Julian of Paris, who taught people like Manet, Degas and Monet, so he realised that he was carrying on a tradition that came from Julian and many teachers before him; the tradition goes from generation to generation like a golden thread.

At Broadway

In mid 1973 Tom found the location for the school in Broadway not far from the old Grace Brothers store.  It was the derelict top floor of a building on Broadway, which had been vacant for at least 10 years – the roof leaked, and the pigeons flew in and out using it as a pigeon loft.  It was dirty and smelled of pigeon droppings.  He spend months cleaning, scouring and equipping the place with working benches, shelves, modeling stands, a clay bin and a silt trap for the plaster washings from mould making.  The workbenches were the ones used for the building of the Opera House.

At the age of 57, in 1974, Tom opened the doors on Broadway in Sydney to a community eager to learn the making of sculpture in the tradition of the Master-apprentice, in the context of a Studio School. It has continued as a full-time dedicated sculpture school ever since.

The sculpture classes consist of the life class and the workshop class.  A drawing class is also taught with a focus on the sculptural aspects of the figure.  Art history is taught through the making of sculptures and research in the school’s treasured library.

The life class is a Master class in the study of the life figure.  Since the mid 90’s, even as other teachers participated in the activities of the school, this class continues to be taught by Tom Bass.  After more than 30 years of teaching, Tom Bass is truly the Master of the Life Class. He is unequalled in his dedication and commitment to this study as the fundamental groundwork for the making of sculptors.

The Studio School prides itself on the individual approach in its teaching. This makes it possible to teach beginners and advanced students together.  Class sizes are always small.  That each student is his or her own curriculum is borne out by the wide range of work that the students produce.  These workshop classes focus on modelling, fabrication and carving, armature building and the making of moulds and casting.

Erskineville

After 25 years, in 1998 the Sculpture Studio School moved to a factory building in residential Erskineville, a brisk 3-minute walk from the railway station. 

In all that time covering close to 30 years thousands of people have come through the school. For most of the first 20 years Tom was the only teacher and then individuals began to emerge who were capable of sharing the teaching load with him.

Inspiration...

Other schools have hived off from the Tom Bass Sculpture School.  The first was Cliff Axelsen’s.  Then Ingrid Morley established a very powerful school.  Hester Elemans went to Warsaw and because there was nothing faintly resembling the school there, she created one.  Donna Littlejohn has gone to Rockhampton and has established a school there.

Incorporation and continued innovation

In March 2003 the burden of management was lifted from Tom Bass’ shoulders and the Tom Bass Sculpture Studio School became Incorporated as a not for profit Association.  It is now managed by a Management Committee and has a part-time administrator. In its role of Promoting sculpture, in September 2003, the Studio School was placed on the Register of Cultural Organisations, thereby achieving tax-deductible status.

The new management continues to develop a range of innovative and challenging programs to ensure the continued success of the Sculpture Studio School as one which values the traditions of sculpture and its teaching, the promotion of public sculpture and being a viable part of the community.

The presence of the master

In the Sculpture Studio, students benefit from being in the atmosphere and presence of the Master. Tom Bass, teachers, advanced students and graduates have continued to make their sculptures there. The focus of these works continues to be primarily Public (or Civic) sculptures. This is consistent with the philosophy of Totemic sculpture that Bass developed after he graduated from the National Art school in Sydney in 1948.

Interested clients are invited to approach the Sculpture Studio for the making of private and public commissions.  The sculpture commissions are made at the school under Bass’ direction in the true Master apprentice tradition and students may be invited to participate in the different stages.  This enriches their experience and furthers their understanding of sculpture.